Methods and systems for creating and using a location identification grid

ABSTRACT

A method and system for generating a location identifier using a location code and a grid coordinate. The location code corresponds to a defined geographical area, such as a postal code or an area code. A grid coordinate can be determined based on destination location information, such as an address, a GPS-determined position, or other reference to a specific physical location. The location identifier is combined with the location code to generate a location identifier, which can be encoded in a computer readable format and placed on items for use in a distribution network. The location identifier can be used to facilitate domestic or international distribution of items using a common format or addressing scheme. The domestic and foreign distribution networks read and interpret location identifiers in order to deliver items.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thisapplication is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/158,468, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn, is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.14/497,018, filed on Sep. 25, 2014, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

This application relates to the field of geographic locationidentification.

Description of the Related Art

Location identification is done in a number of ways including, forexample, relative location, addressing, and through the use of gridsystems.

Determining relative location is a long used method of developinglocation identification. Relative location is with reference tolandmarks or other identifying features. While relative location issimple, it is difficult to reliably use, as landmarks may be difficultto consistently identify. Relative location is also difficult to usebecause the landmarks and other identifying features can change overtime. Thus, while relative location is useful in facilitating locationidentification, it also has drawbacks.

Addressing is another method of location identification. Addressing canbe performed by, for example, identifying a street and a location on thestreet. In many instances of addressing, the location on the street isassociated with buildings or properties located on the street. Whileaddressing provides a more reliable form of location identification, italso has several difficulties. Addressing can be a very inefficient formof location identification for a person who is unfamiliar with an areaor with a street. For example, a person may not be able to find thestreet referenced in an address. Further, addressing isn't intuitive, inthat the name and location of one street is usually not indicative ofthe name or location of another street. Thus, a person must be familiarwith the area in which the address is located in order to know how touse addressing to find a location. Further, as addressing relies onrelative positioning on a street, and as the relative position isusually defined relative to property or structures, changes in property,changes to the structures on the street, and/or changes in the streetitself can make the addressing system difficult to use. Anothershortcoming of addressing is that an addressing system does notaccurately identify locations within properties or other locations notassociated with the property.

The association of a grid-type system with the land area is anothermethod of location identification. Such systems include, for example,latitude and longitude on the globe, and the national grid system. Whilegrid systems allow accurate identification of a location, and while theidentification of the location is independent of physical landmarks orphysical identifying features, a grid system also has shortcomings. Oneof the greatest shortcomings of a grid system is that it is separatedfrom daily experience. Thus, a person using a grid system does notusually experience locations in terms of the grid system, but rather interms of addresses and relative locations. Thus, complete reliance on agrid system can cause problems for a new user. Further, grid systemsfrequently identify a point and do not identify an area.

Additionally, in some areas of the world, an addressing system may notexist, or may be too cumbersome for domestic and/or international use. Asystem using a location identifier and a grid coordinate can provideaddresses for physical locations where an addressing system is lacking.

In light of these shortcomings, a new method and system of locationidentification is required to facilitate intuitive and accurate locationidentification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments include a system for generating a location identifierfor use with an item, the system comprising: an item processingapparatus configured to receive a destination location identifier andcommunicate the destination location identifier to a processor; a firstmemory in communication with the processor, the first memory storing aplurality of location codes corresponding to a plurality of geographicareas; a second memory in communication with the processor, the secondmemory storing grid coordinates corresponding to a plurality of physicallocations; wherein the processor is configured to query the first memoryto select, based on the destination location identifier, a specificlocation code from the plurality of stored location codes, the specificlocation code corresponding to one of the plurality of geographic areas;query the second memory to determine, based on the selected locationcode and the destination location identifier, a gird coordinate values;generate a location identifier using the selected location code and thedetermined grid coordinate value; store the generated locationidentifier and associate the location identifier with the destinationlocation information; and send the generated location identifier to theitem processing apparatus for use with an item.

In some embodiments, the item processing apparatus comprises a scannerconfigured to read the destination location from an item.

The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured toencode the generated location identifier in a computer readable code andtransmit the computer readable code to the item processing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the item processing apparatus is further configuredto generate a physical representation of the generated locationidentifier.

In some embodiments, the item processing apparatus is further configuredto receive an item and to affix the physical representation of thegenerated location identifier to the received item.

In some embodiments, the scanner is further configured to read thegenerated location identifier on the received item and sort a receiveditem according to the location identifier.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a mobile device havinga scanner and a communication module in communication with theprocessor, wherein the scanner is configured to read a locationidentifier from an item and request the associated destination locationinformation.

Some embodiments describe a method of generating a location identifiercomprising receiving an item in an item processing apparatus, receivinga destination location identifier from the item; querying, by aprocessor, a first memory storing a plurality of location codescorresponding to a plurality of geographic areas to determine a specificlocation code from the plurality of stored location codes, the specificlocation code corresponding to one of the plurality of geographic areas;querying, by a processor, a second memory storing grid coordinatescorresponding to a plurality of physical locations determine todetermine, based on the selected location code and the destinationlocation identifier, a gird coordinate value corresponding to thedestination location identifier; generating, by a processor, a computerreadable location identifier having the selected location code and thedetermined grid coordinate values encoded therein; and placing thecomputer readable location identifier on the item.

In some embodiments, the destination location identifier is a physicaladdress.

In some embodiments, receiving the destination location identifiercomprises scanning the destination location identifier on the item andextracting a location code from the physical address.

Some embodiments include a method of generating a location identifiercomprising receiving a request for a location identifier from a user viaa computing device; receiving a location coordinate from the computingdevice; determining a location code based on the location coordinate;and generating a computer readable location identifier using thedetermined location code and at least a portion of the received locationcoordinate.

In some embodiments, the location coordinate is the location coordinateof the computing device at the time the request for the locationidentifier is received.

In some embodiments, the location code corresponds to a definedgeographic area.

In some embodiments, the location coordinate is a determined by a globalpositioning system.

Some embodiments relate to system for creating a location identificationgrid. In some embodiments, the system can include memory havinginformation relating to first irregularly shaped geographic areas thatdivide a representation of a geographic region and a processor that canreceive a user request for location information, query the memory forinformation relating the first irregularly shaped geographic areas,determine the first irregularly shaped geographic area containing therequested location, divide a representation of the first geographic areacontaining the requested location into a plurality of first regions witha plurality of first parallel lines and with a plurality of secondparallel lines, which first parallel lines intersect the second parallellines and thereby define a plurality of second geographic areas,determine from among the plurality of second geographic areas the secondgeographic area containing the requested location, and output locationinformation relating to the requested location and the second geographicarea.

In some embodiments of the system for creating a location identificationgrid, the plurality of first irregularly shaped geographic areas cancorrespond to pre-existing areas such as, for example, zip codes, postalcodes, and/or area codes. In some embodiments of the system for creatinga location identification grid, the plurality of first parallel linesand the plurality of second parallel lines correspond to pre-existinggrid lines such as, for example, the national grid. In some embodimentsof the system for creating a location identification grid, the pluralityof second geographic areas correspond to pre-existing areas such as, forexample, the national grid.

In some embodiments of the system for creating a location identificationgrid, the second geographic areas are rectangular shaped, and in someembodiments of the system for creating a location identification gridthe second geographic areas are square. In some embodiments of thesystem for creating a location identification grid, the first parallellines are perpendicular to the second parallel lines.

In some embodiments of the system for creating a location identificationgrid, the memory can further include a unique identifier associated withone of the first irregularly shaped geographic areas such as, forexample, a pre-existing identifier. In some embodiments of the systemfor creating a location identification grid, the processor can furtherdetermine whether further resolution of the location identification isrequired and/or to sub-divide the second geographic areas.

Some embodiments relate to a system for defining a geographic locationthat includes, memory storing information relating to a plurality ofnon-uniformly shaped areas, which one of the non-uniformly shaped areascorresponds to a pre-existing area and a processor that receives a userrequest for information relating to a first location, receivesinformation from a user relating to a second location, identifies thefirst location by querying the memory for information relating to one ofthe non-uniformly shaped areas, which memory is queried with apre-existing identifier received in the user request and identifying oneof the non-uniformly shaped areas, which one of the non-uniformly shapedareas includes the first location, sub-divides the one of thenon-uniformly shaped areas with a rectangular coordinate system,determines the sub-division of the non-uniformly shaped area includingthe first location, and provides the user location information for thefirst location relative to the second location.

In some embodiments of the system for defining a geographic location,the plurality of non-uniformly shaped areas can correspond topre-existing areas such as, for example, areas defined by a postal codesand/or zip codes. Although the term postal code is frequently usedherein to describe a geographic location, this use is exemplary only. Itshould be understood that geographic areas may be identified by alocation code other than a postal code, such as a telephone area code,or governmental or private division, without departing from the scope ofthis application. In some embodiments of the system for defining ageographic location, the rectangular coordinate system is a pre-existingrectangular coordinate system such as, for example, the national grid.In some embodiments of the system for defining a geographic location,the processor can further determine whether further resolution of thelocation identification is required. In some embodiments of the systemfor defining a geographic location, the processor can sub-divide thesub-areas.

Some embodiments relate to a system for providing location information.The system can include a user communication interface, a memory havinglocation information, and a processor that can receive a user locationrequest including an identifier of a first location having a firstcomponent and a second component, which first component of theidentifier corresponds to a first geographic area, and which secondcomponent of the identifier corresponds to second geographic area whichis a portion of the first geographic area, that can query the databasefor location information corresponding to the first component of theidentifier, that can identify the first geographic area, that can querythe database for location information corresponding to the second partof the identifier, and that can identify the second geographic area.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information,the first geographic area corresponds to a pre-existing area, whichpre-existing area can correspond to the area defined by a postal code, azip code, and/or an area code. In some embodiments of the system forproviding location information, the pre-existing area can be irregularlyshaped. In some embodiments of the system for providing locationinformation, the second geographic area can have pre-existingboundaries, which can be, for example, defined by the national grid. Insome embodiments of the system for providing location information, thesecond geographic area can include a portion of the first geographicarea.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information, aplurality of second geographic areas define the entire first geographicarea. In some embodiments of the system for providing locationinformation, the second geographic area identifies the first location.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information,the processor can further receive an indication of a second location,and in some embodiments of the system for providing locationinformation, the processor can provide directions instructing how tomove from the second location to the first location.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information, aportion of the second component of the identifier further corresponds tothird geographic area which is a portion of the second geographic area.In some embodiments of the system for providing location information,the processor can identify the second geographic area based on theportion of the second component of the identifier corresponding to thethird geographic area.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information,the memory can include security information, and in some embodiments ofthe system for providing location information, the processor can querythe memory for security information and can determine whether the userlocation request complies with the security information.

Some embodiments relate to a method of directing a person to a location.The method can include receiving a request for location information at aprocessor, which request can include an indication of a desireddestination, querying a memory with the processor to determine from agroup of first irregularly shaped geographic areas a first irregularlyshaped geographic area including the desired destination, querying thememory with the processor to determine from a group of second geographicareas covering the first irregularly shaped geographic area includingthe destination a second geographic area including the desireddestination, determining a present location, and providing an audible orvisual output indicating a path to reach the desired destination.

In some embodiments of the method of directing a person to a location,the first irregularly shaped geographic areas can correspond topre-existing geographic areas such as, for example, areas designated byone or several postal codes and/or areas designated by one or severalarea codes. In some embodiments of the system for providing locationinformation, the second geographic areas correspond to pre-existinggeographic areas such as, for example, areas defined by an existingpolar coordinate system and/or areas defined by an existing Cartesiangrid system.

In some embodiments of the system for providing location information,receiving a request for location information includes receiving a userinput identifying a desired destination. In some embodiments of thesystem for providing location information, receiving a request forlocation information includes receiving a third party input identifyinga desired destination, which third party input can include, for example,receiving an input from a webpage. In some embodiments of the system forproviding location information, the path to reach the desireddestination is partially on a road.

Some embodiments relate to a system for directing a person to alocation. The system can include means for receiving a request forlocation information, which request includes an indication of a desireddestination, means for identifying from a group of first irregularlyshaped geographic areas a first irregularly shaped geographic areaincluding the desired destination, means for identifying from a group ofsecond geographic areas covering the first irregularly shaped geographicarea including the destination a second geographic area including thedesired destination, means for determining a present location, and meansfor providing an audible or visual output indicating a path to reach thedesired destination.

Some embodiments relate to a system for creating a locationidentification grid. The system can include, for example, means forstoring information relating to first irregularly shaped geographicareas that divide a representation of a geographic region, means forreceiving a user request for location information, means for identifyinginformation relating to the first irregularly shaped geographic areas,means for determining a first irregularly shaped geographic areacontaining the requested location, means for dividing a representationof the first geographic area containing the requested location into aplurality of first regions with a plurality of first parallel lines andwith a plurality of second parallel lines, which first parallel linesintersect the second parallel line and thereby define a plurality ofsecond geographic areas, means for determining the second geographicarea containing the requested location, and means for outputtinglocation information relating to the requested location and the secondgeographic area.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/orother subject matter described herein will become apparent in theteachings set forth herein. The summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scopeof the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a location identificationgrid covering a geographic region.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a close-up section of one portion of thelocation identification grid shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3C are representations of text strings that can be used toindicate a location in the location identification grid.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system that can be usedin connection with the location identification grid.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a process forcreating a location identification grid.

FIG. 5A is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a process fordividing areas into sub-areas.

FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of a processfor dividing areas into sub-areas.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a process forusing a location identification grid to identify a location.

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a process fordetermining a requested location based on first and second signalcomponents.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment for generating alocation identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Some embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods forgenerating a location identification grid. Some embodiments relatespecifically to methods of creation of the location identification grid.Some embodiments relate to methods for using the location identificationgrid. Some embodiments relate to new techniques and methods foridentifying a location within a location identification grid. Someembodiments relate to hardware and software components that can be usedin connection with the location identification grid.

In some embodiments, a geographic region can be divided into a number ofsmaller geographic areas. In some embodiments, each of these geographicareas can be further divided until a desired level of resolution withinthe grid is achieved. In some embodiments, a location can be identifiedby identifying one or several areas containing the location. In someembodiments, the division of these geographic areas can be divided byapplying an existing grid system such as, for example, a regular grid, aCartesian grid, rectilinear grid, a curvilinear grid, and/or polar gridsystem to these geographic areas. In some embodiments, this grid systemcan include, for example, the national grid.

The location identification grid can be used to identify locationswithin a geographic region. The geographic region can be divided into aplurality of first geographic areas. In some embodiments, these firstgeographic areas can cover the entirety of the geographic region. Thesegeographic areas can be, for example, regularly shaped or irregularlyshaped. In some embodiments, these first geographic areas can be thesame size, can have different sizes, or can fall within a consistentrange of sizes. In some embodiments, these first geographic areas can,for example, correspond to preexisting divisions of the geographicregion.

In some embodiments of the location identification grid, each of thefirst geographic areas can be divided into a plurality of secondgeographic areas. In some embodiments, the division of the firstgeographic areas into a plurality of second geographic areas can be doneby applying a pre-existing grid such as, for example, a regular grid, aCartesian grid, rectilinear grid, a curvilinear grid, and/or polar gridsystem, to the first geographic areas, and in some embodiments, thedivision of the first geographic areas into a plurality of secondgeographic areas can be done by creating a new grid system within thefirst geographic areas.

In some embodiments, the plurality of second geographic areas can coverthe entirety of the first geographic areas. In some embodiments, forexample, the first geographic areas can be divided into secondgeographic areas of a first size. Thus, in this embodiment, the secondgeographic areas of a first size have the same size. In someembodiments, the second geographic areas of a first size can also havethe same shape. However, and in light of the fact that the firstgeographic areas can be irregularly shaped, and can have differentsizes, the plurality of first geographic areas may have differentnumbers of second geographic areas of a first size within the boundariesof each of the first geographic areas, and the second geographic areasof a first size can be different sizes and shapes.

In some embodiments, each of the second geographic areas of a first sizecan be further divided into second geographic areas of a second size. Insome embodiments, the division of the second geographic areas of a firstsize into a plurality of second geographic areas of a second size can bedone by applying a pre-existing grid such as, for example, a regulargrid, a Cartesian grid, rectilinear grid, a curvilinear grid, and/orpolar grid to the first geographic areas, and in some embodiments, thedivision of the second geographic areas of a first size into a pluralityof second geographic areas of a second size can be done by creating anew grid system within the second geographic areas of a first size. Insome embodiments, for example, the second geographic areas of a secondsize can cover the entirety of each of the second geographic areas of afirst size. In some embodiments, the second geographic areas of a secondsize can have the same shape and/or the same size.

In some embodiments, each of the second geographic areas of the secondsize can be further divided into smaller groups, similar to the divisionof the second geographic areas of the first size. This division can beachieved by using similar steps and methods to those outlined above.This process can be continued for each new second geographic area untila desired level of resolution and accuracy has been achieved.

By dividing the geographic region into a number of first geographicareas, a location can be identified based on its existence within theboundaries of one of the first geographic areas. Similarly, by dividingeach of the first geographic areas into a plurality of second geographicareas of a first size, a location can be identified by reference to itslocation within the boundaries of a first geographic area and to itslocation within the boundaries of a second geographic area of a firstsize. The identification of a location can be continuously morespecifically indicated by identifying a location based on its existencewithin the boundaries of progressively smaller second geographic areas.Location identification by identifying continuously smaller geographicareas containing the desired location within the boundaries can beperformed until the desired level of accuracy in the locationidentification has been achieved.

A variety of systems and modules can be used in connection with thelocation identification grid. Similarly, a variety of systems andmodules can be used in connection with the process for identifying alocation by reference to a location identification grid. In someembodiments, for example, a system for use in connection with a locationidentification grid or for use in generating a location identificationgrid can comprise a variety of components and/or modules. Thesecomponents and/or modules can be, for example, hardware or software. Insome embodiments, these modules can be independent devices or can befunctioning within a single device. In some embodiments, these modulesand/or components can communicate with each other. These modules caninclude, for example, a processor, memory, a communications module, asecurity module, and an administrator's module.

In some embodiments, modules of a system for use with a locationidentification grid or for use in generating a location identificationgrid can communicate with a user. In some embodiments, these modules cancommunicate with a user via an interface, or via a user device. In someembodiments, for example, these modules can receive inputs from a user.In some embodiments, these modules can provide outputs and/or prompts toa user.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that a variety ofcomponents, devices, modules, and/or other features can be used in thecreation of a system for generation of a location identification grid orfor use in connection with the location identification grid, and thatthe present disclosure is not limited to any specific system or to anyspecific modules, components, and/or any other features.

A location identification grid can be generated in a variety of ways. Inone embodiment of generating a location identification grid, ageographic region can be identified. This geographic region can bedivided into a series of progressively smaller geographic areas.Specifically, this geographic region can be divided into firstgeographic areas, which first geographic areas cover the entirety of thegeographic region. Each of these first geographic areas can be dividedinto a plurality of second geographic areas of a first size. Similarly,the second geographic areas of a first size can be divided into secondgeographic areas of a second size, which second geographic areas of asecond size can likewise be subdivided into smaller second geographicareas. This process of division of the continually smaller secondgeographic areas can be performed until the desired accuracy andresolution of the location identification grid is achieved. As discussedabove, this division can be achieved by applying a pre-existing systemto the first geographic areas, such as, for example, the national grid.

In some embodiments, smaller “child” geographic areas can be createdfrom larger “parent” geographic areas. In some embodiments, the secondgeographic areas can be created by dividing the parent area in whichthey are located with a plurality of parallel first lines. These firstlines can, in some embodiments, extend from one side of the parentgeographic area to another side of a parent geographic area. In someembodiments, the parent geographic area can be further divided. In someembodiments, these second lines can extend from one side of the parentgeographic area to the other side of the parent geographic area. In someembodiments, the second lines can be, for example, perpendicular to thefirst lines. The creation of second, child geographic areas by aplurality of parallel first lines and a plurality of parallel secondlines, which parallel second lines are perpendicular to the parallelfirst lines, can result in the creation of a number of rectangularlyshaped second geographic areas.

In some embodiments, information relating to the first geographic areasand/or the second geographic areas can be stored in a database.

In some embodiments, a location identification grid can be used in avariety of ways to assist in the identification of a location and toassist in the performance of a variety of tasks. In some embodiments inwhich a location identification grid is used to facilitate theidentification of a location, a signal can be received from a user. Insome embodiments, this signal can include a request for theidentification of a location. In some embodiments, this request caninclude a text stream. This text stream can be divided into components,which components identify the relevant first geographic area and anyrelevant second geographic area or areas. In some embodiments, thesecomponents can be used to determine a location. After the location hasbeen identified and/or determined, information relating to the locationcan be provided to the user.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the locationidentification grid can be used in the performance of a variety oftasks, and that the present application is not limited to the details ofthe above-disclosed method of using a location identification grid.

Location Identification Grid

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a location identification grid 100. Asseen in FIG. 1, the location identification grid 100 covers a geographicregion 102. The geographic region 102 can comprise a variety of sizesand shapes, and can have any desired size and shape and can include anydesired geographic features, such as, for example, cities, mountains,plains, rivers, valleys, or any other geographic feature. The geographicregion 102 can have a variety of boundaries. In some embodiments, thegeographic region 102 can have preexisting boundaries, such asboundaries formed by a coastline, a river line, or any other natural ormanmade or preexisting feature. In some embodiments, the geographicregion 102 can have political boundaries that can include, for example,state boundaries, country boundaries, city boundaries, countyboundaries, or any other politically determined boundary. In someembodiments, the geographic region can be a continent such as NorthAmerica, a country such as the United States, or a state, province,municipality, prefecture, and the like.

The geographic region 102 can comprise a plurality of first geographicareas 104. As seen in FIG. 1, each of the geographic areas 104 caninclude a portion of the geographic region 102. Further, the sum of theplurality of first geographic areas 104 can, for example, encompass theentire area of the geographic region 102. Thus, the entire area of thegeographic region 102 can be, as depicted in FIG. 1 included in thefirst geographic areas 104.

The first geographic areas 104 can comprise a variety of shapes andsizes. In some embodiments, the first geographic areas 104 can comprisethe same shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the first geographicareas 104 can comprise different sizes and/or different shapes.

In some embodiments, a first geographic area 104 can comprise a regulargeometric shape such as, for example, a circle, a triangle, a rectangle,a quadrilateral, a polygon, a hexagon, a pentagon, or any other desiredregular geometric shape. In some embodiments, the first geographic area104 can comprise an irregular shape. In some embodiments, the firstgeographic areas 104 can comprise a variety of sizes.

In some embodiments, the first geographic areas 104 can comprise, forexample, a group of preexisting areas. These areas can be related topostal systems such as, for example, areas associated with a postalcode, such as a zip code, related to telecommunications systems such as,for example, areas associated with an area code, related to politicaldivisions such as, for example, state, county, city, country, or otherpolitical region or boundary, or can be related to any other service orpurpose. In some embodiments, the first geographic areas 104 can becreated solely to function within the location identification grid 100.

Each of the first geographic areas 104 can be defined by firstboundaries 106. These first boundaries 106 can, for example, coincidewith a portion of one or more of the boundaries of the geographic region102, or can be independent of the boundaries of the geographic region102. In some embodiments, these boundaries 106 correspond to naturalboundaries, political boundaries, or any other boundaries. Thus, in someembodiments, the boundaries 106 correspond to preexisting dividingfeatures including, for example, rivers, shores, streets, highways,state boundaries, county boundaries, national boundaries, cityboundaries, or any other boundary.

As further seen in FIG. 1, the first geographic areas 104 can besubdivided into a plurality of second geographic areas of a first size108. The second geographic areas of a first size 108 can comprise avariety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the second geographicareas of a first size 108 can comprise the same shape and size. In someembodiments, the second geographic areas of a first size 108 cancomprise different shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the secondgeographic areas of a first size 108 can be regularly shaped orirregularly shaped. As depicted in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, thesecond geographic areas of a first size 108 can comprise a plurality ofrectangles of the same size, or a plurality of squares of the same size.In some embodiments, the second geographic areas of a first size 108 cancomprise a range of sizes.

In some embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 1, the entirety of the area ofsome or all of the first geographic areas 104 can be covered by secondgeographic areas of a first size 108. Thus, and as seen in FIG. 1, eachportion of the first geographic area 104 can be included in one of aplurality of second geographic areas of a first size 108.

To provide different levels of accuracy in location identification, afirst geographic area 104 can be divided into any number of secondgeographic areas of a first size 108. In some embodiments, the firstgeographic area 104 can be divided into second geographic areas of afirst size 108 by one or several first boundary lines 110, and one orseveral second boundary lines 112. In some embodiments, these boundarylines 110, 112 can correspond to a pre-existing grid system, such as,for example, the boundaries of the national grid.

In some embodiments, the first boundary lines 110 can be linear ornonlinear. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second boundary lines 112can be linear or nonlinear. In some embodiments, the first boundarylines 110 and the second boundary lines 112 can coincide with thepreexisting boundaries or natural boundaries such as, for example,boundaries defined by a river, mountains, shoreline, a politicalboundary such as a state, a county, a city, or a national boundary, orany other manmade or natural boundary.

In some embodiments, the first boundary lines 110 can comprise aplurality of parallel linear boundaries. In some embodiments, the secondboundary lines 112 can likewise comprise a plurality of parallel linearboundary lines. In some embodiments, the second boundary lines 112 canbe perpendicular to the first boundary lines 110. In some embodiments,the first boundary lines 110 and the second boundary lines 112 candefine a grid.

The number of first boundary lines 110 and second boundary lines 112 canbe the same in each of the first geographic areas 104. In someembodiments, the number of first boundary lines 110 and the number ofsecond boundary lines 112 can vary between first geographic areas 104.In some embodiments, the spacing between the first boundary lines 110and between the second boundary lines 112 can be constant inside asingle first geographic area and between first geographic areas 104.Thus, in some embodiments in which the spacing between the firstboundary lines 110 and the second boundary lines 112 is constant betweenfirst geographic areas 104, the second geographic areas of a first size108 defined by first and second boundary lines 110 and 112, can be, inpart, the same size. In some embodiments, in which the first geographicarea 104 is irregularly shaped, second geographic areas of a first size108 having a boundary that coincides with the first boundaries 106 maynot have the same shape as other second geographic areas of a first size108, or cover the same area as other second geographic areas of a firstsize 108.

As the geographic region 102 is subdivided into first geographic areas104, and as the first geographic areas 104 are subdivided into secondgeographic areas of a first size 108, the specification of a firstgeographic area 104 identifies a portion of the geographic region 102and thereby more accurately identifies a location than merelyidentifying the geographic region 102. Similarly, the specification of asecond geographic area of a first size 108 within a first geographicarea 104 identifies a portion of the first geographic area 104 andthereby more accurately identifies a location than merely identifyingthe first geographic area 104.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of one of the second geographic areas 108depicted in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the second geographic area of afirst size 108 is defined by a plurality of boundaries. Specifically,the second geographic area of a first size 108 is defined by a leftfirst boundary line 110 a, a right first boundary line 110 b, a topsecond boundary line 112 a, and a bottom second boundary line 112 b. Asdiscussed above, and as shown in FIG. 2, the first boundary lines 110 aand 110 b can be parallel. Similarly, and as discussed above, the secondboundary lines 112 a and 112 b can be parallel, and can be perpendicularto the first boundary lines 110 a, 110 b. Due to the orientation of thefirst boundary lines 110 a, 110 b and the second boundary lines 112 a,112 b, the intersection of the first boundary lines 110 a, 110 b and thesecond boundary lines 112 a, 112 b defines a square second geographicarea of a first size 108. As seen in FIG. 2, the second geographic areaof a first size 108 can be further subdivided into second geographicareas of a second size 200. In some embodiments, these second geographicareas of a second size 200 can correspond to areas defined by apre-existing grid system, such as, for example, the boundaries of thenational grid.

The second geographic areas of a second size 200 can comprise a varietyof shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the second geographic areas ofa second size 200 can be the same shape and size. In some embodiments,the second geographic areas of a second size 200 can be different shapesand sizes. In some embodiments, the second geographic areas of a secondsize 200 can be regularly shaped or irregularly shaped.

In some embodiments, the second geographic areas of a second size 200can have any desired area that is smaller than the area of the secondgeographic areas of a first size 108.

In some embodiments, the sum of the plurality of the second geographicareas of a second size 200 can include all of the area of the secondgeographic area of a first size 108. Thus, in some embodiments, eachportion of the second geographic area of a first size 108 is included ina portion of one of the second geographic areas of a second size 200.

In some embodiments, the second geographic area of a first size 108 canbe subdivided into second geographic areas of a second size 200 by oneor several third boundary lines 202 and one or several fourth boundarylines 204. In some embodiments, these boundary lines 202, 204 cancorrespond to a pre-existing grid system, such as, for example, theboundaries of the national grid. In some embodiments, the third boundarylines 202 can comprise one or several parallel boundary lines. In someembodiments, these boundary lines can be linear or nonlinear. Similarly,in some embodiments, the fourth boundary lines 204 can comprise one orseveral parallel lines. In some embodiments, the fourth boundary lines204 can be linear or nonlinear. In some embodiments, both the thirdboundary lines 202 and the fourth boundary lines 204 can correlate topreexisting boundaries, or can be created for the purpose of subdividingthe second geographic area of the first size 108.

The boundary lines 202, 204 can be regularly spaced or irregularlyspaced. In some embodiments, the third boundary lines 202 areperpendicular to the fourth boundary lines 204. In some embodiments, inwhich the third boundary lines 202 are parallel, and are perpendicularto the fourth boundary lines 204, the combination of the third boundarylines 202 and the fourth boundary lines 204 defines a grid.

The division of the second geographic area of a first size 108 into aplurality of second geographic areas of a second size 200 allows a moreaccurate identification of a location, as the existence of secondgeographic areas of a second size 200 within the second geographic areaof a first size 108 allows the specification of a portion of the secondgeographic area of a first size 108 including a specific location.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 only depict dividing a geographic region 102 into afirst geographic area 104, and dividing the first geographic area 104into a second geographic area of a first size 108, which secondgeographic area of a first size 108 is subdivided into a secondgeographic area of a second size 200, a person of skill in the art willrecognize that the second geographic area of a second size 200 can befurther subdivided into smaller second geographic areas of a third size,which second geographic areas of a third size can likewise be subdividedinto smaller second geographic areas of a fourth size, which subdivisioncan continue until a desired level of accuracy within the locationidentification grid 100 has been achieved.

Text Strings Identifying a Location

In some embodiments, the geographic areas of a geographic region 102 canbe uniquely identified. In some embodiments, for example, each of thefirst geographic areas 104 can be assigned a unique identifier, such as,for example, a unique text string. In some embodiments, this unique textstring can comprise a unique identifying number, such as a postal code,zip code, and the like.

In some embodiments, a second geographic area can be uniquely identifiedby identifying the first geographic area containing the secondgeographic area and identifying the second geographic area relative tothe first geographic area.

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, the first geographic area104 containing location 150 can be assigned a unique identifier. Asshown in FIG. 1, the geographic region 102 includes seven firstgeographic areas 104, including unique first geographic area 104 a. Inone embodiment, each of these seven first geographic areas 104 could beuniquely identified by assignment of a unique number. In one embodiment,each of these seven first geographic areas can be assigned a numberbetween one and seven, and unique first geographic area 104 a can beassigned, for example, the number one.

Further, the second geographic area of a first size 108 containinglocation 150, unique second geographic area of a first size 108 a, canbe identified. In some embodiments, this identification can be achievedby assigning a unique identifier to each of the second geographic areasof a first size 108. In some embodiments, this unique identifier caninclude information identifying the first geographic area 104 thatincludes the second geographic area of a first size 108, and thatidentifies one of the second geographic area of a first size 108 locatedwith the first geographic area 104. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.1, in which the first geographic area 104 can be divided into eightcolumns of second geographic areas of a first size 108 and six rows ofsecond geographic areas of a first size 108, a second geographic area ofa first size 108 can be identified within the unique first geographicarea 104 a by identifying its column and row location.

Thus, the unique second geographic area of a first size 108 a, which islocated in the fifth column from the leftmost boundary of the uniquefirst geographic area 104 a, and in the third row from the bottommostboundary of the unique first geographic area 104 a, can be identifiedwithin the unique first geographic area 104 a with “53,” whichcorresponds to the location in the fifth column and the third row. Thus,the unique second geographic area of a first size 108 a can be uniquelyidentified by reference to its location within unique first geographicarea 104 a and its row column location within the unique firstgeographic area 104 a. This identification can be, for example, “153.”

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the location 150 can be furtheridentified by specifying a unique second geographic area of a secondsize 200 a containing the location 150. Like the second geographic areaof a first size 108, the location of the unique second geographic areaof a second size 200 a can be uniquely identified by identifying theunique first geographic area 104 a containing the location 150, byidentifying the unique second geographic area of a first size 108 acontaining the location 150 relative to the unique first geographic area104 a, and by identifying the unique second geographic area of a secondsize 200 a containing the location 150 relative to the unique secondgeographic area of a first size 108 a. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, in which the second geographic area of a first size 108 found inunique first geographic area 104 a can be divided into seven columns andeight rows, a second geographic area of a second size 200 can beidentified within the unique second geographic area of a first size 108a by identifying its column and row location.

Thus, the unique second geographic area of a second size 200 a, which islocated in the fourth column from the leftmost boundary of the uniquesecond geographic area of a first size 108 a, and in the fifth row fromthe bottommost boundary of the unique second geographic area of a firstsize 108 a, can be identified within the unique second geographic areaof a first size 108 a with “45,” which corresponds to the location inthe fourth column and the fifth row. Thus, the unique second geographicarea of a second size 200 a can be uniquely identified by reference tothe unique first geographic area 104 a containing the unique secondgeographic area of a second size 200 a, by reference to the uniquesecond geographic area of a first size 108 a containing the uniquesecond geographic area of a second size 200 a, and by reference to itsrow/column location within the unique second geographic area of a firstsize 108 a. This identification can be, for example, “15345.” Thus, theidentifier for location 150 can be expressed as “15345.” The identifierfor this location can be encoded into a computer readable code andapplied, sprayed, printed, or affixed to the item. The computer readablecode can be read and interpreted by processing and sorting equipment ina distribution network, and the item can be directed to the location 150based on the computer readable code. This will be described in greaterdetail below.

FIGS. 3A through 3C identify a plurality of text strings that can beused to indicate portions of a location identification grid 100corresponding to a location. Referring now to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A depicts afirst text string 302. A text string can comprise a collection of text.As depicted in FIG. 3A, the first text string 302 comprises a pluralityof first characters 304. These first characters 304 can comprise aletter, a number, or any other symbol.

In some embodiments, the first characters 304 within the first textstring 302 can correspond to, or identify, the position of a locationwithin the location identification grid 100.

In some embodiments, the first text string 302 can be used to identify alocation. In some embodiments, the first text string 302 can include adesired number of first characters 304 to provide a desired resolutionand/or accuracy level in identifying a location. In some embodiments,one or several of the first characters 304 of the first text string 302can be associated with a first geographic area 104 and with one orseveral second geographic areas. In some embodiments, one or several ofthe first characters 304 of the first text string 302 can be associatedwith an entity, a person, a property, an address, and/or any otherdesired item. In some embodiments, the item, including, for example, theentity and/or person, associated with some of the first characters 304of the first text string 302 can be associated with the locationidentified by the remaining portions of the first text string 302. Thus,a first portion of the first characters 304 of the first text string 302can identify a location, and a second portion of the first characters304 of the first text string 302 can be associated with, for example, anentity, a person, a property, or an address. Advantageously, this canfacilitate, delivery of an item to a person at a location by allowingthe identification of the recipient by reference to the text stringand/or information associated with the text string.

In some embodiments, in which the first text string 302 is associatedwith an item such as, for example, a property, an entity, and/or aperson, the first text string 302 can be used as an address, as atelephone number, as an email address, or for any other desired purpose.Advantageously, in some embodiments, the first text string 302 can beconverted into a signal, a computer readable code, and/or any otherdesired format to facilitate its use.

Referring to location 150, location 150 can be identified with the firsttext string 302 of first characters 304 by “153,” as discussed above.This text string identifies a unique first geographic area 104containing the location 150, and the portion of the unique firstgeographic area 104, namely the unique second geographic area of a firstsize 108 a, containing the location.

In some embodiments in which further accuracy is desired, the portion ofthe second geographic area of a first size 108 a containing the location150, namely, the unique second geographic area of a second size 200 a,can be identified. Thus, in some embodiments, information may berequested relating to the location of something covering a large area orinformation may be requested relating to the location of somethingcovering a small area. In the case in which information relating to thelocation of something covering a large area is requested, a lesserdegree of accuracy is required in identifying the location that in thecase in which information relating to the location of something coveringa small area is requested.

In some embodiments, the first text string 302 providing this level ofaccuracy can comprise, for example, “15345.” Similarly, additional firstcharacters 304 can be added to the first text string 302 to provideadditional accuracy to the identification of location 150.

FIG. 3B depicts another embodiment of a text string. Specifically, FIG.3B depicts a second text string 306. As discussed above, the second textstring 306 can have any desired length, and can comprise any desirednumber of text characters. As depicted in FIG. 3B, the second textstring 306 can comprise one or several first characters 304 locatedwithin a first string portion 308, and one or several second characters310 located in the second string portion 312. Like the first characters304, the second characters 310 can comprise a letter, a number, or anyother symbol.

In some embodiments, the first string portion 308 can correspond to andidentify a first geographic area 104. In some embodiments, the secondstring portion 312 can identify and correspond to one or several secondgeographic areas located within the identified first geographic area104.

In some embodiments, in which the second geographic areas are created byone or several first boundary lines that are parallel, and one orseveral second parallel boundary lines, and in which the first boundarylines and the second boundary lines are perpendicular to each other, thesecond string portion 312 can be divided into character pairs.Specifically referring to FIG. 3B, the second string portion 312includes the character pair 310 a and 310 b. In some embodiments inwhich the second geographic areas are created by intersecting andperpendicular first boundary lines and second boundary lines, thecharacter pair 310 a and 310 b can designate a second geographic areasimilar to coordinate pair. Specifically, a first portion of thecharacter pair 310 a can identify a portion of the first geographic area104 divided by the first boundary lines and the second portion of thecharacter pair 310 b can identify a portion of the geographic areadivided by second boundary lines. Thus, by specifying both the firstportion 310 a and the second portion 310 b, a portion of the largergeographic area can be specified.

In some embodiments of the second text string 306 in which the secondstring portion 312 includes more than two second characters 310, theseadditional characters can further specify portions of a largergeographic area. Thus, the first pair 310 a and 310 b may specify theportion of the first geographic area in which the location is found.Similarly, the next pair of identifiers 310 c and 310 d can identify theportion of the first geographic area defined by 310 a and 310 b in whichthe location is found. Likewise, the pair including 310 e and 310 f candefine the portion of the geographic area defined by 310 c and 310 d inwhich the location is found. Thus, by extending the second stringportion to include more character pairs, a location can be increasinglymore accurately identified.

In some embodiments, the second text string 306 can be used to identifya location. In some embodiments, the second text string 306 can includea desired number of first characters 304 and/or second characters 310 toprovide a desired resolution and/or accuracy level in identifying alocation. Similar to the first text string 302, in some embodiments, oneor several of the first characters 304 and/or second characters 310 ofthe second text string 306 can be associated with an entity, a person, aproperty, and address, and/or any other desired item.

In some embodiments, in which the second text string 306 is associatedwith an item such as, for example, a property, an entity, and/or aperson, the second text string 306 can be used as an address, as atelephone number, as an email address, or for any other desired purpose.Advantageously, in some embodiments, the second text string 306 can beconverted into a signal, a computer readable code, and/or any otherdesired format to facilitate its use.

FIG. 3C identifies a third text string 314. Like the second text string306 identified in FIG. 3B, the third text string 314 includes a firstcharacter 304 in a first string portion 308 and a second character 310in the second string portion 312. As depicted in FIG. 3C, the third textstring 314 additionally includes a third character 316 in a third stringportion 318. In some embodiments, for example, the third character 316found in the third string portion 318 can comprise a characterindicating a division between the first string portion 308 and thesecond string portion 312. Thus, in some embodiments, third characters316 found in the third string portion 318 do not identify a location,but assist in separating the first string portion 308 from the secondstring portion 312.

In some embodiments, the third text string 314 can be used to identify alocation. In some embodiments, the third text string 314 can include adesired number of first characters 304 and/or second characters 310 toprovide a desired resolution and/or accuracy level in identifying alocation. Similar to the first text string 302, in some embodiments, oneor several of the first characters 304 and/or second characters 310 ofthe third text string 314 can be associated with, for example, anentity, a person, a property, an address, and/or any other desiredthing. In some embodiments, the thing, including, for example, theentity and/or person, associated with some of the first characters 304and/or the second characters 310 of the third text string 314 can beassociated with the location identified by the remaining portions of thethird text string 314.

In some embodiments, in which the third text string 314 is associatedwith a thing such as, for example, a property, an entity, and/or aperson, the third text string 314 can be used as an address, as atelephone number, as an email address, or for any other desired purpose.Advantageously, in some embodiments, the third text string 314 can beconverted into a signal, a computer readable code, and/or any otherdesired format to facilitate its use.

Referring again to location 150, location 150 can be identified with thethird text string 314 of first characters 304, second characters 310,and third characters 316 by “1##53.” In this embodiments the “1” cancorrespond to the first characters 304, “53” can correspond to thesecond characters 310, and the “##” can correspond to the thirdcharacters 316. This text string identifies a unique first geographicarea 104 containing the location 150, and the portion of the uniquefirst geographic area 104, namely the unique second geographic area of afirst size 108 a, which contains the location. The “##” symbol may beused to separate the first characters, representing the first geographiclocation, from the second characters, corresponding to the locationcoordinates. The “##” portion, or third characters 316 of the third textstring 314 may be omitted when the third text string 314 is converted toa computer readable code.

In some embodiments in which further accuracy is desired, the portion ofthe second geographic area of a first size 108 a containing the location150, namely, the unique second geographic area of a second size 200 a,can be identified. In some embodiments, the third text string 314providing this level of accuracy can comprise, for example, “1##5345.”In this embodiments, the “1” can correspond to the first characters 304,“5345” can correspond to the second characters 310, and the “##” cancorrespond to the third characters 316. Similarly, additional firstcharacters 304 can be added to the first text string 302 to provideadditional accuracy to the identification of location 150.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of formatscan be used to identify a location within a location identification grid100. A person of skill in the art will further recognize that thepresent disclosure is not limited to any specific format of informationidentifying a location within a location identification grid 100.

In some embodiments, an existing grid system can be used. Exiting gridsystems such as the U.S. National Grid (USNG), the Universal TransverseMercator (UTM), the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) determined coordinates can be used. Theseexisting grid systems provide grid coverage for most or all land area ofthe earth. A location identifier for use in distribution networks can begenerated by using a combination of a first geographic area identifier,such as a postal code, with existing grid coordinates. By combining apostal code with grid coordinates, it is possible to identify a precisephysical location anywhere in the world. This way, precise coordinates,which may or may not correspond to a conventional addressing system, canbe used for distributing items in a distribution network.

For example, a street corner, a blue postal service mailbox, a parcellocker, a parking lot, a roadside, a rural location, or any otherlocation which may not ordinarily have a conventional address can beused as a pickup or delivery point in a distribution network byutilizing a location identifier combining a gridding system with a knowngeographic identifier, such as a postal code.

To illustrate the location identifier, a specific location in WashingtonD.C. may be a delivery or pickup point. The MGRS Grid coordinate forthis specific location in Washington D.C. may be 18SUJ2337206518.Although this coordinate can uniquely identify a location, it isdifficult to use in distribution networks or postal networks, because itlacks an identifier for larger geographic regions corresponding tofacilities in the distribution network. Using the U.S. Postal Service(USPS) as an example, a zip code identifies a geographic area servicedby a particular postal facility, such as a post office. In routing itemsin the mail network, the zip code provides important routinginformation, such as identifying the routing facility or post office, towhich the item should be delivered or transported. With the MGRScoordinate alone, there is no correspondence to a delivery facility,and, therefore, the MGRS coordinate alone cannot easily be used inpostal or distribution applications. Thus, the location identifiercombines the postal code or other code identifying a geographical areain order to facilitate the movement of items through the distributionnetwork.

Using the USPS as an example, the zip code for parts of Washington D.C.is 20016. The MGRS Grid coordinates can be truncated, or locationcoordinates extracted, and combined with the zip code for the locationin Washington D.C. The portions of the MGRS coordinate which identifythe specific location within the 20016 zip code can be used with the zipcode to generate an alphanumeric string similar to those described abovewith regard to FIGS. 3A-3C. In this example, the alphanumeric string ismade by combining the zip code 20016 with the specific locationcoordinates 372 and 518 of the MGRS Grid coordinate. The resultingalphanumeric string becomes the location identifier 20016372518 if usinga code similar to second text string 306, or 20016##372518 if using acode similar to third text string 314, where first string portion 308corresponds to the zip code for Washington D.C., separated from thesecond string portion 312, which contains the specific locationcoordinates from the MGRS Grid Coordinate, by third string portion 314.This third text string 314 having a geographic code or postal codecomponent and a specific location coordinate component can be referredto as a location identifier. In some specific applications, the first,second, or third text string 302, 306, or 314 may be termed a locationidentifier.

In some cases, a jurisdiction may not have postal codes. Destinationlocation information, such as GPS coordinates, can still be used toidentify the city or local area. For example, if an item is intended forBrisbane Australia, no postal code may be available. In this instancethe barcode or location identifier may be designated as 0000023463176,where 00000 designates that the city or location code may need to beobtained from an address as written on the item, or as encoded elsewhereinto the computer readable code, and that within Brisbane, destinationcorresponds to grid coordinate 23463176. In some embodiments, a simpledesignation of the type of coordinate grid used for the city may also beinserted into the location identifier, such as 0000U23463176, so thatthe delivery personnel may be able to ascertain the address or deliverycoordinates.

The location identifier can be encoded or converted into a computerreadable code, such as a 2D barcode, 3-D barcode, QR code, RF tag, andthe like. In some embodiments, the location identifier can beadvantageously incorporated into a barcode such as the Intelligent Mail®Barcode (IMb), which can be printed or sprayed on a mailpiece or parcel,or printed on a label and affixed to an item for distribution.

To illustrate, the IMb may be similar to those barcodes described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,598,482, entitled Intelligent Barcode Systems, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The IMbuses 31 digits, with the first 2 digits identifying a barcode ID, 3digits identifying a class of service, 6 digits identifying a mailer orshipper ID, 9 digits identifying a serial number, and 11 digitsidentifying a zip code. To encode a location identifier into an IMb, theIMb can be modified to contain the same first 11 digits (barcode ID,class of service, mailer ID), allocating 7 digits for a serial number, 5digits for a zip code, and 8 digits for grid coordinates of a specificlocation. In situations where a postal code has more or less than 5digits, the serial number can be allocated more or fewer digits, and thepostal code can be allocated more or fewer digits, as needed. In someembodiments, an additional field can be added to the IMb identifying acountry code. This may be advantageous in the case where more than onecountry has the same postal code designations. Adding a country code tothe IMb can be accomplished by shortening the serial number or themailer ID in the IMb. In some embodiments, the location identifier neednot be encoded in an IMb, but may be a separate code applied to adistribution item.

This system can be especially advantageous in locations whereconventional postal addresses are not available or do not exist. Forexample, in many parts of the world, the post office acts as singlereceiving point for mail, parcels, or other delivery items. Residents,businesses, and the like must go to the post office every day to pick-upmail or items which have been delivered. Using the post office code witha grid coordinate system can instantly create addresses for locationsnear the post office depending on the level of resolution of the gridsystem. This will enable items, parcels, and mail to be addressed fordelivery to a specific location, such as a business or residence, nearthe post office. This can be especially useful when a foreign postalsystem is used to ship an item to a resident in a part of the worldwhere a robust address system does not exist.

To illustrate, some foreign postal codes are generally six digitnumbers. The first two digits show the province, province-equivalentmunicipality, or autonomous region. The third digit identifies thepostal zone, the fourth digit identifies the prefecture orprefecture-level city, and the last two digits identify the post office.The postal code can be combined with grid coordinates, which can becreated for each postal code, or which can be mapped to a universalgridding system, to identify a specific location within the postoffice's geographic location. In addition to providing a specificlocation for delivery, the addition of the postal code to gridcoordinates also creates a unique identifier for any item which isintended for the particular location.

This also allows a distribution network to create location specificpallets, or groups of items to be delivered directly to an end location,such as a business, factory, warehouse, residence, and the like.

In cases where the postal code contains location information thatdefines a specific delivery point, or corresponds to an area which issmaller than a defined geographic area 104, the postal code for suchitems may be truncated. For example, in countries with an alphanumericpostcode like 2D3R1F, the postal code may identify a delivery point anda more specific location than postal codes in other areas or countries.In this case the postal code can be truncated to 2D3 or a city orregional area with a known grid coordinate system. The grid coordinatetruncation as above is then appended to the truncated postcode to obtaina location identifier of 2d3#23463176. The alpha character may besubstituted into a numeric character when printed such as 2963#23463176.When converting to a barcode format the alpha character may be convertedto a numeric value before encoding but does not need to be.

Using a location identifier based on a geographic code, such as a postalcode, and a grid coordinate system will enable universal orinternationally compatible mailing or distribution. For example, ashipper in the United States can apply a location identifier barcodeencoding the postal code and grid coordinates of the deliverydestination to the item, or this can be done by the origin distributionnetwork. When the destination distribution network, such as a foreignpostal service, receives the item, there is no need to perform anaddress look-up to identify the delivery point. The destinationdistribution network can read the location identifier barcode on theitem, and can identify the delivery point. When both origin anddestination distribution networks utilize this system, items can bedelivered using a single barcode or location identifier. This can beespecially helpful where two distribution networks, such as two postalservices, are located in jurisdictions having different languages,alphabets, characters, and the like. There is no need to interpret aforeign language, or unfamiliar letters or characters in order toidentify a destination delivery point.

The location identifier may also be advantageously used by countries ordelivery personnel that are not familiar with addressing schemes, postalcodes or the like. For example, a package may be inducted into the USPSfor delivery in France. The USPS may scan or read GPS coordinates, aphysical address in English, other type of indicator on the package andderive the location identifier as described below. The USPS may thenapply the location identifier to the item and route the package toFrance via any number of means. France may then accept it at its Postand only read or scan the postal code portion of the location identifieror the first portion 308. The French Post may then route the package tothe appropriate Post facility for the scanned postal code.

Once at the appropriate facility the package can be delivered by anyone.The delivery carrier can read or scan the package and locationidentifier. In some embodiments, the location identifier can be input byhand or may be scanned into an electronic device having a handheldscanner or into a user device as described below. The user device maythen query, via the internet, the USPS databases via resident or cloudsoftware and retrieve the address corresponding to the grid coordinate,(or second portion 312), of the location identifier. In someembodiments, the delivery agent can obtain route directions, such asturn-by-turn directions, directly from the USPS, or from another GPSrouting service directly to the user device.

If multiple items are intended for delivery by the agent, the USPSsoftware and databases may also supply route sequence information to theforeign carrier via the electronic device for ease of delivery based onthe grid coordinates of the location identifier. In this way thelocation identifier may be the only piece of information that the Postor carrier needs to in order to make delivery. The postal code portionof the location identifier allows the destination Post or deliveryservice to route the package to the appropriate local or unit deliveryfacility within their distribution networks as needed. Once at the localor unit delivery facility, the local carrier can use the grid coordinateportion of the location identifier to determine the physical deliverylocation and/or route.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a system configuredfor use with the location identification grid 100. The system 400 cancomprise a variety of features configured to perform a variety offunctions. In some embodiments, the features and components of thesystem 400 can be independent, can be communicatingly linked, can becontrollably linked, or can be linked in any other desired fashion.

In some embodiments, the system 400 can comprise a central processingsystem 402. In some embodiments, the central processing system 402 canbe configured to control the generation of a location identificationgrid 100 and the use of the location identification grid 100. In someembodiments, the grid system 400 can be in communicating connection witha user device 404 such as a mobile handset that can include a usercommunication interface such as a keyboard, speaker for communicatingaudible sounds, or a display for showing visual information. In someembodiments, the user communication interface can be configured toreceive inputs from the user and to provide outputs to the user.

The user device 404 can be remote from the central processing system402, integral in the central processing system 402, or proximate to thecentral processing system 402. In some embodiments, the user device 404can be configured to allow a user to provide inputs and information tothe central processing system 402 and to receive outputs and informationfrom the central processing system 402. The user device 404 can compriseany device capable of allowing a user to communicate with the centralprocessing system 402. In some embodiments, the user device 404 cancomprise, for example, a device comprising a processor, such as apersonal computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a cell phone, atablet, or any other similar device. While FIG. 4 depicts a user device404 separate from the central processing system 402, in someembodiments, some or all of the features, modules, and/or components ofthe central processing system 402 can be integrated into the user device404.

In some embodiments, the user device 404 can include features and/orcomponents configured to determine the location of the user device 404.In some embodiments, the features and/or components can comprisefeatures configured to communicate with a location system and/orcomponent such as, for example, a satellite based location system, acellular network location identification system, and/or any other systemor component capable of providing information relating to the locationof the user device 404. Advantageously, information relating to thelocation of the user device 404 can be used in connection with alocation request to determine a path and/or directions to the locationidentified by the location request.

As depicted in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the user device 404 can beconfigured to communicate with the central processing system 402 viacommunication system or network 406. The communication system or network406 can be configured to communicate signals and can comprise, forexample, a local area network, a wide area network (WAN), the internet,a cell phone network, a telecommunications network, Wi-Fi, or any othercommunication system.

In some embodiments, the user device may be carried by a deliveryresource, such as a delivery agent. The user device 404 may comprise ascanner configured to read a location identifier which includes a postalcode and grid coordinates as described elsewhere herein. The user device404 can communicate a scanned code to the central processing system 402,which can look up the location identifier in an address look-up table,and communicate the physical address to the delivery agent via the userdevice 404 and the communication system 406. In some embodiments, thecentral processing system 402 may communicate via an internet orcloud-based service to a universal database having stored associationswith location identifiers and physical addresses for more than onejurisdiction or country. In some embodiments, the USPS, anotherorganization, or a combination of organizations can maintain a worldwidedatabase storing address associations with location identifiers(specifically with grid coordinates) and may provide access to thisinformation to foreign or local postal systems.

The user device 404 may also be a GPS enabled smartphone or mobilecomputing device owned or operated by a user, and running anapplication. If the user desires to purchase an item which will beshipped or delivered via a distribution network, the user can choose tohave the item delivered to the specific location where the user islocated. For example, upon order of an item, the GPS enabled smartphone,via the running application, can transmit the current GPS location ofthe user device 404 to the distribution entity via the communicationsystem 404. The processor 408 can retrieve, from the memory 410, thepostal code and the grid coordinates corresponding to the GPS-determinedlocation of the user device 404. The processor 408 can further generatea location identifier and/or a barcode encoding the postal code and thegrid coordinates and send them back to the user device 404. Theprocessor 408 can send the location identifier and/or barcode to themerchant who will ship the ordered item, or to item processing equipmentin preparation for attaching the location identifier or barcode onto theitem to be shipped. In some embodiments, the user can attach or placethe location identifier on to an item to be shipped.

When a customer orders a package they can include their GPS coordinatesor coordinates of the location of desired delivery. The vendor can thendetermine the city, postcode and address of the destination via adatabase or maps provided by any number of entities. This can then beused if necessary to lookup a postcode from a post authority or databasethat has these postcodes for cities in the destination country. Once thepostcode is known, the GPS coordinates then can be translated into theappropriate coordinate system for the destination country or locationand the truncated coordinates are then appended to the postcode toobtain a location identifier. In this way someone with a simple mobilephone may accurately get a routing code to the exact address they areusing the mobile device from.

In some embodiments, the user can input the GPS coordinates of thelocation to which the item should be delivered into the user device 404,if the delivery coordinates are not the location of the user device 404at the time of ordering.

A user may also access the system 400 via an application on the userdevice 404 in order to obtain the grid coordinates for a specificlocation. For example, a user located in Sierra Leone, where physicaladdresses may not be available, can query the memory 410 via thecommunication network 406 to obtain grid coordinate information orpostal code information (if postal code information exists)corresponding to the user's location, the user's home, business, or anyother desired location. This grid coordinate information may be usefulto the user for addressing an item, for relaying a specific location toa colleague, business, associate, or the like. Since the gridcoordinates are universal, the user's grid coordinates may be relayed toanother party who will be able to understand, interpret, or find thelocation of the user. Or, in some embodiments, the user may simplydesire to know his grid coordinates in Sierra Leone

The central processing system 402 can comprise a variety of componentsand modules capable of performing a variety of functions. The centralprocessing system 402 can be configured to receive inputs fromcomponents of the system 400 that are not included in the centralprocessing system 402, to provide information to these components, andto perform various tasks with the information received from thecomponents of the system 400.

In some embodiments, the central processing system 402 can comprise, forexample, a communication feature 424 connecting, a processor 408, amemory 410, a communications module 418, a security module 420, and anadministrator module 422. In some embodiments, for example, the centralprocessing system 402 can receive a location input from a user device404. This location input can comprise, for example, a text string suchas those discussed in reference to FIG. 3. The communication from theuser device 404 can be received at the communication module 418 andcommunicated to the processor 408 via the communication feature 424. Theprocessor 408 can operate in accordance with instructions received fromthe memory 410 and can, for example, use the location input to determinea location and to, for example, provide information relating to aposition relative to that location and/or provide instruction to reachthat location. In some embodiments, this determination of the locationcan include querying the security module 420 to determine whether therequested information can be provided to a user and/or to make any othersecurity related determination.

In some embodiments, the components and modules of the centralprocessing system 402 can be communicatingly connected via acommunication feature 424. The communication feature 424 can compriseany feature capable of establishing a communication connection betweenthe features and modules of the central processing system 402. These caninclude, for example, a wired or wireless device, a bus, acommunications network, or any other suitable feature.

In some embodiments, the central processing system 402 can comprise, forexample, a processor 408. A processor 408 may comprise a singleprocessor, or may be a component of a processing system implemented withone or more processors. The one or more processors 408 may beimplemented with any combination of general purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware, finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information. Theprocessor 408 can comprise, for example, a microprocessor such as an ARMprocessor, a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® proprocessor, an 8051processor, an MIPS® processor, a Power PC®, an Alpha® processor, or thelike. The processor 408 typically has conventional address lines,conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines.

The processor 408 can be in communicating connection with a memory 410.The memory 410, can be configured to store a wide range of informationusing any of a wide range of techniques. The features and functions ofthe memory are discussed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 can perform processes inaccordance with instructions stored in the memory 410. These processescan include, for example, controlling features and/or components of thecentral processing system 402, requesting and/or receiving informationfrom features and/or components of the system 400, transmittinginstructions and/or control signals to features and/or components of thecentral processing system 402, requesting information from anadministrator, transmitting information to the administrator, processinginformation received from features and/or components of the centralprocessing system 402, processing information received from featuresand/or components of the system 400, processing information receivedfrom the administrator, and/or any other desired processes.

In some embodiments, the memory 410 can comprise one or severaldatabases. The databases can comprise an organized collection of digitaldata. The data stored in the databases can comprise any desired data,and can, in some embodiments, relate to functions of the centralprocessing system 402 and/or the system 400.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 4, the memory 410 comprisesa plurality of databases and specifically provides a grid database 412,and a user database 414. In some embodiments, the grid database 412 cancomprise information relating to the location identification grid 100.This information can include, for example, data relating to thegeographic region 102, data relating to the first geographic area 104,data relating to the second geographic area of a first size 108, datarelating to any of the second geographic areas, data relating to thecontents of the geographic region 102, the first geographic area 104, orany of the second geographic areas, or any other desired information. Insome embodiments, this data can define the boundaries of at least onegeographic area, such as, for example, first geographic area 104 a.

The grid database 412 also stores an association between known postalcodes or geographic area identifiers with the corresponding portions ofuniversal grid systems, such as the UTM, MGRS, and the USNG. The griddatabase 412 can also include a relational database or address look-uptable associating physical addresses and/or names associated withlocation identifiers which include a postal code and specific locationcoordinates. For example, the memory 410 may store an associationbetween the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. with a locationidentifier. The address of the Jefferson Memorial is 900 Ohio Street NW,Washington D.C., 20242. The location identifier for the JeffersonMemorial using USNG grid coordinates is 20242##23340651. The memory 410stores an association between the physical address and the locationidentifier, such that one of the physical address or location identifiercan be obtained upon query of the memory 410 with the other of thephysical address or location identifier.

In some embodiments, the grid database 412 can comprise locationinformation preassociated with the location identification grid 100.Thus, in some embodiments, information relating to a specific locationcan be associated with, for example, one or more geographic regions 102,one or more geographic areas 104, or one or more second geographicareas. In some embodiments, the preassociation of location data with thedifferent aspects of the location identification grid 100 can facilitatequicker access to the location information.

In some embodiments, the user database 414 can comprise informationrelating to the user and/or the user account. In some embodiments, thisinformation can include, for example, account information such as anaccount number, a user name, a password, or any other accountidentification and/or verification information. In some embodiments, theuser database 414 can comprise information relating to the accountstatus including, for example, account usage, account payments due,account payments pending, account payments received, and/or any otherpayment issues.

In some embodiments, the user database can include information relatingto the amount of information that can be provided to a user. In someembodiments, the amount of information provided to a user is referred toas, for example, a user's access level. In some embodiments, theseaccess levels can comprise authorization for a user to access definedportions of the location identification grid. Thus, in some embodiments,a user may not have access to all of the information stored within alocation identification grid. These limitations may be based on, forexample, concerns such as security, national security, privacy, or thetype of information plan for which the user is subscribed.

In some embodiments, a user may have access to only a certain level ofspecificity as to a particular location. Thus, in some embodiments, thisspecificity, or resolution, may be limited by a user's access level to,for example, specificity within 100 meters, within 10 meters, within 1meter, or any other desired specificity. Thus, in some embodiments, theuser database 414 may include an indicator of the limit of resolutionthat a user can receive.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the user database 414can comprise more or less information than that outlined above, and thatthe user database 414 is not limited to the specific features andcomponents discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the memory 410 and the associated databases whichit comprises can be located in a single area, or may be distributed inlocations remote one from another. In some embodiments, a single entity,such as the USPS, can operate and maintain the memory 110 to provide thedata and associations saved in the grid database 412 and the userdatabase 414 to various customers, including foreign postal services.The USPS or another organization can build and maintain the system 400as needed and provide the services of the system 400 or the accesses tothe services to other postal services, countries, or distributionnetworks worldwide. The relational databases and processing capabilitiesdescribed herein may be contained in many formats or structures or inone. As one of skill in the art would understand, the system 400 mayalso access existing databases relating addresses to GPS coordinates orother points described herein and use information from those databasesfor some of the processing and construction of the location identifier.

In some embodiments, the central processing system 402 can comprise acommunications module 418. In some embodiments, for example, thecommunications module 418 can be communicatingly connected to theprocessor 408. In some embodiments, for example, the communicationsmodule 418 can be configured to communicate with other modules andcomponents of the system 400, such as, for example, the user device 404.In some embodiments, the communications module 418 can be configured forwired or wireless communications, and can be configured to requestinformation and receive inputs from the user device 404, and/orcomponents or modules of the central processing system 402. The centralprocessing system 402 can, in some embodiments, comprise a plurality ofmodules, which modules can be embodied in hardware or software, andwhich can comprise a single piece of hardware or software or systems ofhardware or software.

In some embodiments, the modules of the central processing system 402can be configured to receive or generate input for the centralprocessing system 402. In one embodiment, and as depicted in FIG. 4, thecentral processing system 402 can comprise a plurality of modules, andcan specifically comprise a security module 420 and an administratormodule 422.

The security module 420 can, for example, comprise features andcomponents configured to detect and prevent prohibited access to thecentral processing system 402. In some embodiments, for example, thesecurity module 420 can prevent an unauthorized user from gaining accessto information related to secure areas or areas for which information isnot provided in their user plan. In some embodiments, for example, thesecurity module 420 can prevent a user from getting a higher degree ofresolution than provided by their user plan.

In some embodiments, the security module 420 can provide securitybenefits to a user. Specifically, in one embodiment, the security module420 can be configured to protect improper usage of a user account. Insuch an embodiment, the security module 420 can be configured to detectfraudulent account access and/or access attempts. In some embodiments,the security module 420 can be configured to protect the centralprocessing system 402. In such an embodiment, the security module 420can be configured to detect malicious software, attempts to penetrateunauthorized areas of the central processing system 402, or any otherpotential security breach.

A person of skill in the art will recognize the security module 420 cancomprise a variety of features and perform a variety of functions, andthe security module 420 is not limited to the above enumerated featuresand functions.

In some embodiments, the administrator module 422 can comprise anadministrator access point. In some embodiments, the administratoraccess point can comprise any device, software, or feature capable ofrequesting and receiving information from the central processing system402 and providing inputs to the central processing system 402. In someembodiments, the administrator access point can comprise a terminaland/or access portal. In some embodiments, for example, theadministrator terminal can comprise any device capable of allowing anadministrator to communicate with the central processing system 402. Theadministrator terminal can comprise, for example, a device comprising aprocessor such as, a personal computer, a laptop computer, smartphone,cell phone, tablet, or any other device including a processor. In someembodiments, the access portal can comprise a web portal, or any othersoftware configured to allow an administrator to access information fromthe central processing system 402.

The central processing system 402 can also include item processingequipment 426. Item processing equipment 426 can include a sortingdevice, a scanning device, or any other equipment or apparatus employedto intake, process, sort, and/or distribute items for distribution in adistribution network. The item processing equipment 426 is connected to,and in electronic communication with the communication feature 424.Thus, the item processing equipment 426 is in communication with allparts of the central processing system 402, including the processor 408and the communications module 418. The item processing equipment 426 mayalso communicate with user devices 404 or any other local or networkcomponent via the communications module 418. with The item processingequipment 426 can include a scanning device configured to read acomputer readable code on an item. The scanning device is configured toread a barcode, such as an IMb, and interpret the location identifierinformation. The location identifier can be used to reference a deliverylocation of an item in relation to the delivery location of an item. Ata local post office or distribution facility, items to be delivered tothe particular postal code can be processed, location identifiers read,and can be sorted according to the location identifiers. As describedabove, the grid system can be numbered incrementally, such as successivegrid lines increasing in number as one moves east to west, north tosouth, or vice versa. Thus, a straight-line delivery route, or anefficient delivery route can be generated by sorting the items accordingto specific location coordinates the second portion 312 of the locationidentifier, or third text string 314. Specifically, a route for deliveryof items can be generated by moving along straight lines in the secondgeographic area 108 illustrated in FIG. 2.

In this way, the location identifier allows for translation of locationidentifiers into a specific processing or sorting sequence. For example,if the post office is located in the second geographic area 108, adelivery route can be established along a first one of boundary lines202 or 204 as desired. The items can be sorted according to locationidentifier to increase or decrease according to a column (y-coordinate)or row (x-coordinate) in the second portion 312 of the locationidentifier. If the delivery route is selected to proceed along anorth-south or third boundary line 202, the items can be sorted fordelivery according to increasing or decreasing column numbers in thesecond portion 312. Or, if the delivery route is chosen to proceed alongan east-west, or fourth boundary line 204, the items can be sortedaccording to increasing or decreasing row numbers in the second portion312. It will be understood that these two routing schemes are exemplaryonly, and sorting can proceed according to a route which moves alongboth third and fourth boundary lines 202 and 204, or any combinationthereof.

In the case of the USPS, the USPS employs a sorting operation thatwalk-sequences letters and or route sequences packages. That is,delivery items are sorted according to the walked route taken by adelivery agent. The USPS's item sorting equipment 426 can scan or readthe location identifier and decode at induction to a walk-sequence orother scheme or may simply decode to receive the postal code forforwarding to the correct local processing center in the country. Thedecoding would use the location identifier to query the memory 410 forthe specified postal code which contains a relationship between gridcoordinates or truncated grid coordinates from the location identifierand street addresses or 11-digit or 9-digit zip codes. The USPS mayprovide a human readable address, delivery point or routing informationon the letter or package via printing or label and then pass the letteror package in its processing system to sort the item to an appropriatescheme.

In some embodiments, the item processing equipment 426 can read alocation identifier using a scanner or other similar device and thensend the location identifier to the processor 402, which can thendetermine an address based on an address look-up table stored in thememory 410. The address, including a recipient name and conventionaladdress can be communicated to a delivery resource, such as to userdevice 404. The address can be printed onto the item, or onto a labelwhich is then affixed to the item.

For example, the item processing equipment 426 can be configured toprovide a location identifier for letters and packages to be delivered.The USPS may receive a package marked with GPS coordinates, a humanreadable or conventional address, or other type of destination locationindicator. The USPS's item processing equipment 426 can scan or read thepackage and determine from a relational database, such as in the memory410, that the coordinates, address or other indicator on the itemidentifies a location a certain country, geographic area, orjurisdiction. The USPS may then query another database in the memory410, or accessible to processor 408 via a communication feature, thatrelates a country's postal codes to specific addresses within thatpostal code, such as at the city, province, state or region level. Oncethe acceptable postal code for the delivery location is found, the USPSthen determines the correct grid coordinate system for that postal codeor country. Some countries may use the USNG grid coordinate system andothers may use the UTM system. The specific grid coordinate systems usedby various jurisdictions and/or geographic regions are stored andassociated in the memory 410. The USPS then queries a database, forexample, in memory 410, to find the corresponding grid coordinates forthe destination location and creates the location identifier asdescribed elsewhere herein. The USPS may then apply the locationidentifier in numerals and/or encoded in a barcode for the destinationcountry, post, or delivery service.

The other indicators on an item described above can be an email address,phone number, or other alphanumeric or graphical identifier. The memory410 stores a relation between the other indicator and a physicaldelivery point. When an item has an identifier such as an email addressthereon, the USPS may start the process of generating a locationidentifier by querying a database, such as in memory 410, that relatesthe email address or other indicator to a physical address, GPScoordinate, or delivery point, and proceed with the above steps asnecessary.

In some embodiments, the item processing equipment 426 can scan an itemand read a conventional destination location, e.g., address, thereonthrough optical character recognition or other means. The itemprocessing equipment 426 can communicate the address to the processor408. The processor 408 can access the grid database 412 of the memory410. The processor 408 can correlate the address with the gridcoordinates corresponding to the address, and can generate a locationidentifier and a barcode encoding the location identifier. The locationidentifier and barcode can be communicated to the item processingequipment 426, which can print or spray the location identifier orbarcode or both onto the item.

In some embodiments, to convert 9 or 11 digit zip codes, or physicaladdresses, to location identifiers may require storage of and access todifferent databases containing addresses, postal codes, truncated postalcodes, grid coordinates, truncated grid coordinates, GPS coordinates andor databases that already relate two or more of these. The centralprocessing system 402 then can be made accessible widely to carriers,personnel, vendors, merchants, recipients, or any other desired party toeffectuate the use of the location identifier. Postal services fromdifferent countries may use a standard for the format of the locationidentifier and/or a standard grid coordinate system used. The barcodingmay also be standardized in format for applying the location identifieror location identifier into a scannable code. It should be understoodthat use of the location identifier keeps intact the postal code of aparticular country.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the system 400 and thecentral processing system 402 can comprise more or fewer features,components, and/or modules than those outlined above, and can be capableof performing more or fewer functions than those outlined above.

Creation and Use of a Location Identification Grid

The system 400 and the central processing system 402 can be used tocreate and use a location identification grid 100. FIG. 5 is a flowchartillustrating one embodiment of the process 500 for making a locationidentification grid 100. In some embodiments, for example, the process500 is performed by the central processing system 402. The process 500begins at block 502 wherein a region is identified by the centralprocessing system 402. In some embodiments, the identification of theregion can comprise receiving an input indicating a region for creatinga location identification grid 100. In some embodiments, this inputindicating a region creating a location identification grid 100 can bereceived from the user. In some embodiments, for example, the identifiedregion can comprise a geographic region 102. In some embodiments, thecentral processing system 402 can identify the region by querying adatabase with location information and determining the regioncorresponding to the location.

After the region has been identified in block 502, the process 500 thenproceeds to block 504 where the region is divided into areas. In someembodiments, the region can be divided into, for example, one or severalfirst geographic areas 104, or one or several second geographic areas.In some embodiments, for example, the central processing system 402and/or the processor 408 can divide the region into areas. In someembodiments, the division of the region into areas can correspond to thecreation of areas making up the region. In some embodiments, thedivision of the region into areas can correspond to the identificationof pre-existing areas that divide up the region. In some embodiments,the pre-existing areas can be already established areas that divide theregion. In some embodiments in which pre-existing areas are used todivide up the region, the suitability of the pre-existing areas can bedetermined before dividing the region up into the areas. In someembodiments, the suitability of the pre-existing regions can bedetermined by determining whether the pre-existing regions fall withincertain criteria such as, for example, size criteria, shape criteria, orany other desired criteria.

In some embodiments, a pre-existing area may be associated and/oridentified with a pre-existing identifier. Thus, for example, an areadefined by a postal code such as a zip-code can be a pre-existing area,and the postal code such as the zip-code is the pre-existing identifierfor the area defined by the postal code such as the zip-code.

After the region is divided into areas in block 504, the process 500moves to block 506 where the areas are divided into a plurality ofsubareas. In some embodiments, for example, the division of areas into aplurality of subareas can correspond to the division of one or severalfirst geographic areas 104 into second geographic areas. In somespecific embodiments, the division of areas into a plurality of subareascan correspond to dividing one or several first geographic areas 104into a plurality of second geographic areas of a first size 108. In someembodiments, for example, the division of areas into a plurality ofsubareas can be performed by the central processing system 402.

In some embodiments, the division of one or several first geographicareas 104 can be achieved by the application of a pre-existing gridsystem to the first geographic areas 104, such as, for example, thenational grid.

After the areas are divided into a plurality of subareas, the process500 moves to block 508 and location information is output. In someembodiments, the location information can be output to a user. Forexample, in some embodiments, the location information can be outputfrom the grid system to a user device 404. In some embodiments, thisoutput can include the communication between the central processingsystem 402 and the user device 404 via the communication system andnetwork 406. In some embodiments, information can be output from thecentral processing system 402 to the communication system and network406 via a communications module 418 of the central processing system402.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the process 500 caninclude more or fewer steps than those outlined above. A person of skillin the art will further recognize than the above-outlined steps ofprocess 500 can be performed in any desired order, and can includesubsteps or subprocesses.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict one embodiment of subprocesses performed in block506 of FIG. 5. In particular, FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of aprocess 520 for dividing areas into a plurality of sub-areas asindicated in block 506 of FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the process 520can be performed by the central processing system 402. Thus, in someembodiments in which information relating to a preexisting locationidentification grid 100 is being accessed, the process 520 can includequerying the memory 410 for information relating to the preexistinglocation identification grid 100.

Having this information from block 504 of FIG. 5, the process 520 movesto block 522 and the area is divided with one or more first parallellines. In some embodiments, this division is performed by the centralprocessing system 402 and/or components of the central processing system402. In such an embodiment, the processor 408 can be configured to querythe memory 410 for information relating to the generation of firstparallel lines. In some embodiments, this information can include, forexample, the spacing between the first parallel lines, the number offirst parallel, including, for example, a maximum and/or minimum numberof first parallel lines, and or any other desired information. Thesefirst parallel lines are then generated and used to divide the area.

Some embodiments can include a wide range of first parallel lines. Insome embodiments, the number of first parallel lines can be determinedbased on the desired size of the resulting areas created by the firstparallel lines. In some embodiments, a single first parallel line may beused to divide the area. In some embodiments, for example, a pluralityof first parallel lines can be used to divide the area. In someembodiments, for example, the number of first parallel lines used todivide the area can be 100, 50, 25, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, orany other or intermediate number of first parallel lines. In someembodiments, for example, the use of a number of first parallel linesless than 10 can allow the use of a single second character 310 toindicate a specific divided subarea of the area. Advantageously, theability to specify a certain divided subarea of the area with a singlesecond character 310 can facilitate the construction of the text stringfor use in identifying a location.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that a wide range oftechniques can be used to divide the area with one or more firstparallel lines and for generating the one or more first parallel lines,and that the present disclosure is not limited to any specificembodiments thereof.

After the area is divided with one or more first parallel lines in block522, the process 520 moves to block 524 wherein the area is divided withone or more second parallel lines. In some embodiments, this division isperformed by the central processing system 402. In such an embodiment,the processor 408 can be configured to query the memory 410 and inputinformation for parameters with which to generate the second parallellines. In some embodiments, this information can include, for example,the spacing between the second parallel lines, the number of secondparallel, including, for example, a maximum and/or minimum number ofsecond parallel lines, and or any other desired information. Thesesecond parallel lines can then be generated and used to divide the area.As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first and second parallellines can correspond to pre-existing lines, such as those associatedwith, for example, the national grid.

Some embodiments can include a wide range of numbers of second parallellines. In some embodiments, the number of second parallel lines can bedetermined based on the desired size of the resulting areas created bythe second parallel lines. In some embodiments, a single second parallelline may be used to divide the area. In some embodiments, for example, aplurality of second parallel lines can be used to divide the area. Insome embodiments, for example, the number of second parallel lines usedto divide the area can be 100, 50, 25, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, orany other or intermediate number of second parallel lines. In someembodiments, for example, the use of a number of second parallel linesless than 10 can allow the use of a single second character 310 toindicate a specific divided subarea of the area. Advantageously, theability to specify a certain divided subarea of the area with a singlesecond character 310 can facilitate the construction of the text stringfor use in identifying a location.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that a wide range oftechniques can be used to divide the area with one or more secondparallel lines and for generating the one or more second parallel lines,and that the present disclosure is not limited to any specificembodiments thereof.

After the area is divided with one or more second parallel lines, theprocess 520 moves to block 526 and defines a sub-area using portions ofthe first and second parallel lines as boundaries. In some embodiments,this definition is performed by the central processing system 402. Insuch an embodiment, the processor 408 can be configured to query thememory and input information for parameters with which to define thesub-area or sub-areas.

The sub-areas can be bounded by portions of the first and secondparallel lines. Specifically, in embodiments in which the first parallellines are non-parallel with the second parallel lines, the intersectionof the first parallel lines with the second parallel lines defines oneor several subareas. In some embodiments, these subareas can comprise avariety of shapes, and in some embodiments in which the second parallellines are perpendicular to the first parallel lines, the subareas cancomprise a rectangular shape.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the spacing between thefirst parallel lines and the second parallel lines, as well as the anglebetween the first parallel lines and the second parallel lines willdetermine the size and shape of the subareas created by the intersectingfirst parallel lines and second parallel lines.

After one or more subareas are defined by portions of the first andsecond parallel lines, the process 520 moves to decision state 528 wherecomponents of the central processing system 402 determine whetherfurther subdivision is required. In some embodiments, the determinationof whether further subdivision is require is based on whether anincreased level of resolution is required to satisfactorily identify alocation. Thus, in some embodiments in which a location must be veryaccurately identified, a higher level of resolution may be required andfurther subdivision may be required. In some embodiments, for example,the determination of whether further subdivision is required can bebased on information received from the user. In some embodiments, thisinformation can be received from the user at the time of input relatingto a location, or in connection with the creation of a user account. Insome embodiments, for example, the determination of whether furthersubdivision is required can be based on information stored in the userdatabase 414 in the memory 410. In some embodiments, this informationstored in the user database 414 can include, for example, informationrelating to the highest level of resolution that the user may access, orother similar information. In some embodiments, for example, thedetermination of whether further subdivision is required is based on thetype of feature whose location is being identified. Thus, in someembodiments, the central processing system 402 can include featuresconfigured to determine the size of the requested location such as thesize of a building whose location is being requested, the size of ageographic feature whose location is being requested, or any othersimilar information, and the resolution, and thus the determination ofwhether further subdivision is required, can be based in part on thesize of the feature for whom the location is being requested.

If further subdivision is required, then the process 520 returns toblock 522 and the division process is repeated. Returning again to block528, if further subdivision is not required, then the process 520proceeds to block 530 and the process 500 continues as described in FIG.5.

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of a process 540 for performing thesteps of block 506 of FIG. 5. Like the process 520 depicted in FIG. 5A,the process 540 depicted in FIG. 5B can be performed by the centralprocessing system 402. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 5B,the process 540 begins at block 542 and the central processing system402 determines a first dimension of an area. In some embodiments, thearea for which a first dimension is being determined is a parent areathat is to be divided into a plurality of child subareas.

In some embodiments, for example, information relating to the parentarea can be retrieved from the memory 410, and this information can beused to determine a first dimension, or, for example, this informationcan include a first dimension. In some embodiments, the first dimensioncan be, for example, the maximum dimension in a first direction of theparent area.

A variety of techniques can be used to determine a maximum dimension ina direction of the area. These can include, for example, collectingmeasurement data relating to the dimension of the area in a singledirection, and determining the largest value of the measurement data.

After a first dimension of the parent area is determined in block 542,the process 540 moves to block 544 and a second dimension of the area isdetermined. In some embodiments, the area for which a second dimensionis being determined is a parent area that is being divided into aplurality of child subareas, and can be, for example, the same parentarea for which a first dimension was determined.

In some embodiments, for example, information relating to the parentarea can be retrieved from the memory 410, and this information can beused to determine a second dimension, or, for example, this informationcan include a second dimension. In some embodiments, the seconddimension can be, for example, the maximum dimension in a seconddirection of the parent area.

After a second dimension of the parent area is determined, the process540 moves to block 546 and the parent area is divided into subareasbased on the first and second dimensions. In some embodiments, theparent area can be divided into child areas and/or child subareas basedon the first and second dimensions by determining a desired size of thesubareas. In some embodiments, for example, the first dimension of thearea can be divided by the desired size of the subareas to determine thenumber of divisions of the area to be made in the direction of the firstdimension. Similarly, in some embodiments in which the size of thesubareas is known, the value of the second dimension can be divided bythe desired size of the subareas to determine the number of divisions tobe made of the area in the direction of the second dimension.

Having determined the number of divisions to be made in the direction ofthe first dimension and in the direction of the second dimension, insome embodiments, for example, a group of first parallel lines and agroup of second parallel lines can be generated to divide the area intosubareas.

A variety of techniques can be used to divide the area into a number ofsubareas. Further these techniques are not limited to the abovedisclosures, but include, for example, any number of techniques capableof dividing an area into a number of subareas.

After the area is divided into a plurality of subareas based on thefirst and second dimensions, the process 540 moves to decision state 548and the central processing system 402 determines if further subdivisionis required. In some embodiments, the determination of whether furthersubdivision is require is based on whether an increased level ofresolution is required to satisfactorily identify a location. Thus, insome embodiments in which a location must be very accurately identified,a higher level of resolution may be required and further subdivision maybe required. In some embodiments, for example, the determination ofwhether further subdivision is required can be based on informationreceived from the user. In some embodiments, this information can bereceived from the user at the time of input relating to a location, orin connection with the creation of a user account. In some embodiments,for example, the determination of whether further subdivision isrequired can be based on information stored in the user database 414 inthe memory 410. In some embodiments, this information stored in the userdatabase 414 can include, for example, information relating to thehighest level of resolution that the user may access, or other similarinformation. In some embodiments, for example, the determination ofwhether further subdivision is required is based on the type of featurewhose location is being identified. Thus, in some embodiments, thecentral processing system 402 can include features configured todetermine the size of the requested location such as the size of abuilding whose location is being requested, the size of a geographicfeature whose location is being requested, or any other similarinformation, and the resolution, and thus the determination of whetherfurther subdivision is required, can be based in part on the size of thefeature for whom the location is being requested.

If further subdivision is required, then the process 540 returns toblock 542 and the division process is repeated. Returning again to block548, if further subdivision is not required, then the process 540proceeds to block 550 and the process 500 continues as described in FIG.5.

Some embodiments relate to methods of providing location information. Insome such embodiments, the central processing system 402 can receive,for example, a request for location information and can, in response tothe request, provide location information. FIG. 6 depicts one embodimentof a process 600 for providing location information. As depicted in FIG.6, the process 600 begins at block 602 and a request for locationinformation is received. In some embodiments, the request for locationinformation can be provided by a system user, and in some embodiments,the request for location information can be provided by a third party,such as, for example, by a webpage. In some embodiments, this locationinformation can correspond to a desired destination. In someembodiments, for example, the request for location information can bereceived by the central processing system 402 which can be a componentof, or separate from the user device 404. Thus, in some embodiments inwhich the central processing system 402 is a component of the userdevice 404, the request for location information can be received in theform of a user input into the user device 404. Additionally, in someembodiments in which the central processing system 402 is separate fromthe user device 404, the request for location information can bereceived from the user device 404. In some embodiments, for example, therequest for information is received at the communications module 418 ofthe central processing system 402.

After the request for location information is received at block 602, theprocess 600 moves to block 604 and a first signal componentcorresponding to and/or identifying a geographic area within a locationidentification grid is identified. A person of skill in the art willrecognize that a variety of techniques can be used to identify the firstsignal component and the present disclosure is not limited to anyspecific technique for identifying the first signal component.

After the first signal component is identified from the received requestfor location information, the process 600 proceeds to block 606 and asecond signal component corresponding to a subarea within the geographicarea is identified from the received request for location information.For example, the identified sub area may be a smaller region within thelarger area which includes the location identified in the receivedrequest. In some embodiments, for example, the signal can compriseindicators separating the first signal component from the second signalcomponent. In some embodiments, the first signal component and thesecond signal component can be identified by use of these indicatorswithin the signal.

After the second signal component corresponding to a subarea within thegeographic area is identified, the process proceeds to block 608 and therequested location is determined based on the first and second signalcomponents. In some embodiments, this determination can include, forexample, querying the memory 410 for information relating to apreexisting location identification grid 100 and comparing the first andsecond signal components to information stored in the memory 410relating to the pre-existing location identification grid 100.

In some embodiments, the determination of the requested location canfurther include, for example, the identification of the location of asecond location that can be, for example, the location of the userdevice 404. This second location can be identified by a user inputand/or can be made in connection with any feature, system, and/orcomponent capable of determining the location of the user device 404.Information relating to the second location can be provided to theprocessor 408 which can, in connection with the memory 410 determinedirections from the second location to the requested location. Thesedirections can comprise, for example, a heading, a distance, a routealong existing streets and/or paths, or any other desired form ofdirections. In some embodiments, the route along existing streets and/orpaths can be selected based on the shortest distance between therequested location and the second location, based on the estimated timeto move between the requested location and the second location, and/orany other parameter for route selection.

After the requested location is determined based on the first and secondsignal components, the process 600 moves to block 610 and locationinformation is provided. In some embodiments, for example, in which thecentral processing system 402 is separate from the user device, thelocation information is provided from the central processing system 402to the user device 404, and can be provided to the user device 404 via,for example, the communication system and network 406. In some in whichthe central processing system 402 is a component of the user device 404,the location information is provided from the user device 404 to theuser. Thus, in some embodiments in which a route is determined betweenthe requested location and the second location, the route can beprovided to the user device 404 and/or to the user.

The process 600 depicted in FIG. 6 can include more or fewer steps thanthose depicted in FIG. 6, and the steps of process 600 depicted in FIG.6 can be performed in the same or in a different order. Further, thesteps of process 600 can include additional subprocesses and furthersteps.

FIG. 6A depicts one embodiment of a subprocess 620 performed as a partof a step depicted in FIG. 6, and specifically as a subprocess of block608 from FIG. 6. As depicted in FIG. 6A, the process 620 can be used todetermine the requested location based on the first and second signalcomponents.

The process 620 begins at block 622 and the first geographic areacorresponding to a first signal component received in the receivedrequest for location information is determined. In some embodiments, theprocessor 408 can compare information received from the memory 410 withthe first signal component. This comparison can be used to determine thefirst geographic area corresponding to the first signal component.

After the determination of the first geographic area corresponding tothe first signal component, the process 620 proceeds to block 624 and asecond geographic area corresponding to a portion of the second signalcomponent received in the received request for location information isdetermined. In some embodiments, for example, information received fromthe memory 410 can be compared with the second signal component todetermine the second geographic area corresponding to the second signalcomponent. For example, the second signal component can comprise a textstring identifying a second geographic area. Thus, the identificationfound in the text string of the second signal component can be used toidentify the second geographic area.

After the second geographic area corresponding to a portion of thesecond signal component has been determined, the process 620 moves todecision state 626 and the central processing system 402 determineswhether the from the received request for location informationidentifies additional areas. Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, in someembodiments, a signal can include more information than identificationof just the first geographic area and the second geographic area. Insome embodiments, after the first geographic area corresponding to thefirst signal component has been determined and the second geographicarea corresponding to a portion of the second signal component has beendetermined, the process determines whether the signal includesinformation identifying further geographic areas.

If the central processing system 402 determines that the signalidentifies additional geographic areas, then the process 620 returns toblock 624 and determines further second geographic areas correspondingto a portion of the second signal component.

Returning again to block 626, if the central processing system 402determines that the signal does not identify additional areas then theprocess 620 moves to block 628 and proceeds to block 610 as depicted inFIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process for generating a location identifier.Process 700 begins at step 702, wherein the system 400 receives arequest for a location identifier. The request may be generated by itemprocessing equipment 426 upon induction into the distribution network.The request may be generated by a merchant, shipper, or consumer whowishes to receive or send an item using a location identifier. In someembodiments, a merchant may have a computer network which receives anorder for an item to be shipped. The merchant's computer network canaccess system 400 via a communication system 406 or other similarcommunications module, wherein the merchant's computer network requestsa location identifier to attach, affix, stick, print, or otherwiseassociate with the item.

The process 700 next moves to step 704, wherein the system 400 receivesdestination location information. The destination location informationmay be a physical address, a GPS location, an email address, a telephonenumber, or other information describing or defining a destination towhich the item will be sent. Upon receiving a request for a locationidentifier, the system 400 may prompt a user to input destinationlocation information. In some embodiments, the destination locationinformation may be automatically provided to the system 400, such aswhen a user orders an item for delivery to the GPS coordinates of acomputing device used to order an item. In some embodiments, the receiptof destination location information may occur before receiving a requestfor location identifier, or these two steps may be performedsubstantially simultaneously. For example, in some embodiments, system400 may receive destination location information at about the same timeas it receives the request for the location identifier.

In some embodiments, the destination location information may be GPScoordinates. When a customer orders a package they can include their GPScoordinates or GPS coordinates of the location of desired delivery, asdescribed elsewhere herein. A vendor or the system 400 can thendetermine the city, postcode and address of the destination via adatabase or maps provided by a commercial GPS coordinate service, orfrom a database, such as in the memory 410. This can then be used toenable the system 400 to lookup a postcode from a postal authority ordatabase in the memory 410 that has postal codes for cities in thedestination jurisdiction. Once the postcode is known the GPS coordinatesthen can be translated into the appropriate coordinate system for thedestination country or area. The process 700 next moves to decisionstate 706, wherein it is determined whether the destination locationinformation identifies a destination in a foreign jurisdiction. Forexample, in the case of the USPS, the system 400 may receive an addressfor delivery. If the address is in a foreign jurisdiction, the process700 moves to step 708, wherein the system 400 accesses a database, suchas in the memory 410 which contains foreign postal codes and all theaddresses within each postal code, and looks-up the postal codecorresponding to the destination location.

If the destination location information identifies a domestic address,the process 700 moves to step 710, wherein the system 400 accesses adatabase, such as in the memory 410, and looks up the zip codecorresponding to the destination location identifier. In someembodiments, the destination location information may already include aforeign postal code or a zip code, in which case, the look up would beunnecessary. For example, if the destination location informationindicates the Jefferson Memorial at 900 Ohio Street NW, Washington D.C.20242, the system 400 may access a database to determine the postal orlocation code associated with the Jefferson Memorial. Or, the system 400may simply use and incorporate the supplied zip code 20242 into thelocation identifier.

From either step 708 or step 710, the process 700 next moves to step710, wherein the grid coordinates for the destination locationinformation are determined, based on the location code or postal codeprovided. For example, the United States may use the USNG griddingcoordinate system, where as a foreign country may use the UTM griddingsystem. The system 400 first accesses the memory 410 to determine whichgridding system is used by the country or jurisdiction in which thelocation code or postal code is located. The postal code may guide thesystem 400 to an address look-up table or other similar data storagemodule including grid coordinates and associated location informationfor the determined location code or postal code. The system 400 thendetermines the grid coordinates corresponding to the destinationlocation information within the postal code or location code.

For example, if the destination location information indicates theJefferson Memorial at 900 Ohio Street NW, Washington D.C. 20242, thesystem identifies a domestic address, and looks up the grid system usedin zip code 20242. The system 400 next looks up which grid coordinateswithin zip code 20242 correspond to 900 Ohio Street NW. The system 400may return the grid coordinates 2334 0651 using the USNG griddingsystem.

Once the grid coordinates are determined in step 710, the process 700moves to step 714, wherein the location identifier is generated. Asdescribed herein, the location code or postal code may be truncated asneeded. The location identifier is generated by combining the postalcode with the grid coordinates as described elsewhere herein. In thecase of the Jefferson Memorial, the location identifier may be20242##23340651. The location identifier can be encoded into a computerreadable code, an IMb, along with service class, mailer ID, serialnumber, etc. Upon encoding the location identifier into a computerreadable code, the “##” characters may be omitted or not encoded.

The process 700 next moves to step 716, wherein the location identifieris transmitted to the user or requestor. This transmission may be anelectronic transmission to a user, who can then print the computerreadable code containing the encoded location identifier. Thetransmission may be an electronic transmission from the processor 408 tothe item processing equipment, or may be a physical transmission of thecomputer readable code such as by printing a label with the computerreadable code.

The process next moves to step 718, wherein the location identifier isplaced on, printed on, affixed to, or otherwise attached to the item.This can occur, for example, on the item processing equipment 426, whichprints or sprays the computer readable code encoding the locationidentifier onto the item. This may also occur as a user prints thecomputer readable code containing the encoded location identifier, andattaches the computer readable code to the item.

The process then ends in step 720.

The technology is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps forprocessing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented insoftware, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed stepundertaken by components of the system.

A microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- ormulti-chip microprocessor such as an ARM processor, a Pentium®processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS processor,a Power PC processor, or an Alpha® processor. In addition, themicroprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessorsuch as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor. Themicroprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventionaldata lines, and one or more conventional control lines.

A memory may comprise any device, feature, and/or component capable ofstoring information. In some embodiments, memory can comprise a hardwarecomponent and/or a software component. Memory can include, for example,RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,registers, hard disk, removable disk, CDROM, or any other form ofstorage medium known in the art. Memory can store any desiredinformation. In some embodiments, the information in memory can include,for example, software, at least one software module, instructions, stepsof an algorithm, or any other information. In some embodiments,instructions in memory can direct a processor in performing processes inaccordance with instructions stored in the memory. These processes caninclude, for example, controlling features and/or components physicallyassociated and/or in communication with the processor, requesting and/orreceiving information from features and/or components physicallyassociated and/or in communication with the processor, transmittinginstructions and/or control signals to features and/or componentsphysically associated and/or in communication with the processor,processing information received from features and/or componentsphysically associated and/or in communication with the processor, and/orany other desired processes.

The system may be used in connection with various operating systems suchas Linux®, UNIX® or Microsoft Windows®.

The system control may be written in any conventional programminglanguage such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and ran under aconventional operating system. C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRANare industry standard programming languages for which many commercialcompilers can be used to create executable code. The system control mayalso be written using interpreted languages such as Perl, Python orRuby.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number ofsignificant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of thepresent invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in themethods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methodsand equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilledin the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that thisinvention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, butthat it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the truescope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for delivering an item comprising: amobile computing device, the mobile computing device configured toreceive a first location identifier from an item to be delivered to adelivery point; a memory storing a plurality of location identifiersassociated with a plurality of destination identifiers; a processor incommunication with the memory, the processor configured to: receive thefirst location identifier from the mobile computing device; query thememory to obtain, from the plurality of destination identifiers, a firstdestination identifier associated with the received first locationidentifier and corresponding to the delivery point; and communicate thefirst destination identifier to the mobile computing device.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first destination identifier is adelivery address.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstdestination identifier comprises geographic coordinates of the deliverypoint.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing system isconfigured to provide turn-by-turn directions to the delivery pointbased on the communicated first destination identifier.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a scannerconfigured to scan the item to receive the first location identifier. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of location identifierscomprise a location code and a grid coordinate.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the location code identifies a pre-determined geographic areaand the grid coordinate comprises geographic coordinates correspondingto the delivery point within the pre-determined geographic area.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the location code corresponds to a deliveryfacility.
 9. A method for delivering an item comprising: receiving, in amobile computing device, a first location identifier from an item to bedelivered to a delivery point; querying, by a processor, a memorystoring a plurality of location identifiers associated with a pluralityof destination identifiers, to obtain a first destination identifiercorresponding to the received first location identifier; communicating,by a processor, the first destination identifier to the mobile computingdevice; and displaying, on the mobile computing device the firstdestination identifier.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstdestination identifier comprises a delivery address.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the first destination identifier comprises geographiccoordinates of the delivery point.
 12. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising providing turn-by-turn directions to the delivery point basedon the first destination identifier.
 13. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising scanning an item, via the mobile computing device, the firstlocation identifier on the item.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein theplurality of location identifier comprises a location code and a gridcoordinate.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the location codeidentifies a pre-determined geographic area.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the grid coordinate comprises geographic coordinatescorresponding to a delivery point.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe geographic coordinates are truncated coordinates, wherein thetruncated coordinates are truncated based on the location code.